The Rev. Margaret Doyle

2016 05 08

7th Sunday after Easter

The Rev. Margaret Doyle

Back in the ‘60’s, Eliot Wigginton and his students created the magazineFoxfire. He sent the kids out into the Southern Appalachians to collect the memories and tales of the older generation. The magazine grew into a series of books which introduced Aunt Arie and people of her generation. Through these folk, the students learned about an assortment of things including“log cabin building, hog dressing, snake lore, mountain crafts and food, and "other affairs of plain living." I learned that not a single part of the pig went to waste, and had the opportunity to taste all of it…but that’s another story.

I was a city kid from Boston, who came across one of these books in 1979, while working in the Appalachians. I was hooked. They took me to a different time and place and reminded me how people survived, on nearly nothing. Yet, they had faith, they sang, they made instruments, and they loved to tell their stories. I would look at the pictures and diagrams and marvel at the creativity of these mountain folk, descended from the same people I was.

In our weekly bible study, we have been exploring the book of Mark, thought to be the first gospel written. Although composed many years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, it is thought to have been based on the stories told by the apostles, and particularly Peter. It is recorded that Mark listened at the feet of the great apostle and wrote down the sermons and memories of Peter, and perhaps those stories of his uncle Barnabas as well.

Why? Because as the contemporaries of Jesus lived out their earthly lives to old age, there was concern that some of the material vital to teaching new followers might be lost. That can happen. The Christians of Mark’s era sought to preserve what they could so that the formative texts would continue forward to shape new generations of Christians.

Jesus prayed for us, for our generations, specifically in today’s gospel. “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one. “ So that they may all be one…Living in the time they did, seeing the tendencies of people in their own Jewish faith, there was concern that the disciples and those who came after would forget that Jesus’ intent for his followers was to be one…beyond that, for all people to be one. We are not there yet, but then, God is not done with humanity yet.

That invites the question for us, how do WE share the message of faith in Jesus? None of us had the benefit of the actual, physical connection to Jesus. Yet, each one of us has had the message communicated to us.

If you ask 20 people in a room who first taught them about Jesus, most will tell you it was their mother or grandmother. Some will credit other adults. For some, it would be teachers or Sunday School teachers. Often female. Of course, most of us had females as teachers in the early years.

Mothering God, you gave me birth
in the bright morning of this world.
Creator, source of every breath,
you are my rain, my wind, my sun.

These words, based on a text by Christian Mystic and Anchoress Julian of Norwich, are included in the Episcopal hymnal, Voices Found. Captured by poet and musician, Jean Janzen, they paint a picture of the maternal qualities of God that we need.

Mothering Christ, you took my form,

offering me your food of light,

the grain of life, and the grape of love,

your very body for my peace.

When Jesus prays for us, followers of our time, the nurturing, protective, hopeful attributes often thought of as “mothering” are evident. “That they may be one, as you and I are one, Oh Father.” He speaks of wanting to gather his people in like chicks under the wings of a mother hen. Gather us into one.

Our mothers in general, and our teachers, scolded us for fighting with our siblings or other kids, reminding us that we are family, we are neighbors…we needed to see the value of learning to play well with each other, work together.

Often, we are given spiritual mothers to encourage and assist us in growing in love in the world. Some of our “mothering figures” may have been guys who reached out to calm, soothe, or protect with gentleness. God continues to pour out upon us his consolation and affirmation.

On this day, the 7th Sunday after Easter, and Mother’s Day, we still have great need of Jesus’ prayer for us, and our prayers for each other. There is so much that would try to divide us, yet our roots are deep, more deep than we know. Strengthened by constant care, we are melded with each other. Just as these plants on the altar have a tangle of roots holding them in place, giving them sustenance, and making something beautiful for God, so are we.

Although our expressions of faith may look a little different, our narratives of the important stories of our faith might vary, together we reach toward the glory of God.

May we, on this day, pray in thanksgiving to God for the constant love poured out upon us.

Mothering Spirit, nurturing one,in arms of patience hold me close

So that in faith I root and grow until I flower, until I know.